Best Healthcare in Massachusetts — 16 resources

About Healthcare

Healthcare for fathers without insurance is accessible through Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs — also called community health centers), free clinics, hospital financial assistance programs, and Medicaid. FQHCs exist in every state and charge on a sliding scale; they provide primary care, dental, behavioral health, and prescription services. The HRSA health center locator lists all FQHCs. Free clinics (typically run by volunteer medical professionals) operate in most major cities. Medicaid eligibility expanded to adults without dependent children in states that adopted Medicaid expansion under the ACA — eligibility is generally up to 138% of the Federal Poverty Level. For uninsured emergencies, every hospital must stabilize regardless of ability to pay under EMTALA, and all nonprofit hospitals are required to offer financial assistance for qualifying patients. This directory includes FQHCs, free clinics, state Medicaid offices, and state ACA marketplaces.

16 Resources

1. MassHealth (Massachusetts Medicaid) — Free

Massachusetts' Medicaid and CHIP program providing free or low-cost health coverage to low-income individuals, families, children, pregnant people, seniors, and people with disabilities. Covers doctor visits, hospital care, prescriptions, behavioral health, dental, and vision for most members. Apply online through the MA Health Connector/MassHealth joint portal or by mailing a paper application; bring Social Security numbers, proof of income, and proof of MA residency for all household members.

1-800-841-2900 · 1 Ashburton Pl, 11th Floor, Boston, MA 02108 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

2. Massachusetts Health Connector (ACA Marketplace) — Free

Massachusetts' state-based health insurance marketplace for comparing and enrolling in ACA-compliant plans. Advance Premium Tax Credits and ConnectorCare cost-sharing reductions are available based on income. Open enrollment runs annually; special enrollment periods apply for job loss, marriage, birth, or MassHealth loss. Apply online, by phone, or with a free certified navigator; have Social Security numbers, tax return, and proof of income and MA residency ready.

1-877-623-6765 · 100 City Hall Plaza, Boston, MA 02108 · Mon-Fri 7am-7pm; Sat 9am-3pm · Visit Website

3. Boston Medical Center - Community Health Centers

Largest safety-net hospital in New England with affiliated community health centers across Boston providing primary care, specialty care, emergency and hospital care regardless of insurance or ability to pay. Accepts MassHealth, commercial insurance, Medicare, and Health Safety Net (Free Care) for eligible uninsured patients. Call the main line or an affiliated health center to schedule; bring photo ID, insurance cards, and a list of current medications when attending appointments.

617-638-8000 · 1 Boston Medical Center Pl, Boston, MA 02118 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm; ER 24/7 · Visit Website

4. Edward M. Kennedy Community Health Center (Worcester)

Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) serving central Massachusetts with primary care, dental, behavioral health, women's health, and pharmacy at multiple locations including Worcester, Framingham, and Milford. Accepts MassHealth, commercial insurance, Medicare, and offers a sliding fee scale for uninsured. Call to schedule a first appointment; bring photo ID, insurance cards, proof of income for sliding scale, and a list of current medications.

508-860-7700 · 19 Tacoma St, Worcester, MA 01605 (and other locations) · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm; some evening hours · Visit Website

5. Baystate Health (Springfield)

Western Massachusetts' largest health system operating hospitals and community health centers across Hampden, Hampshire, and Franklin Counties providing primary care, specialty care, hospital care, and behavioral health. Accepts MassHealth, commercial insurance, Medicare, and Health Safety Net for eligible uninsured patients. Call a specific Baystate clinic to schedule or use the online provider search; bring photo ID, insurance cards, and a list of current medications.

413-794-0000 · 759 Chestnut St, Springfield, MA 01199 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

6. Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers

Network of 52 community health centers operating 300+ sites across Massachusetts providing primary care, dental, behavioral health, pharmacy, and women's health regardless of insurance or ability to pay. Does not deliver care directly; instead helps residents find a community health center by ZIP code via the website. Member FQHCs accept MassHealth, commercial insurance, Medicare, and offer sliding fee scales for uninsured. Call your local health center to schedule.

617-426-2225 · Find a health center by zip code on website · Varies by location · Visit Website

7. Health Safety Net (Free Care) — Free

Massachusetts state program covering medically necessary hospital and community health center services for low-income uninsured and underinsured residents who are not eligible for MassHealth. Covers emergency and inpatient hospital care plus primary, behavioral health, and some specialty services at participating providers. Apply at the hospital or community health center where care is received; bring photo ID, Social Security numbers, proof of income, and proof of MA residency.

617-988-3000 · Apply at hospital or community health center · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm · Visit Website

8. Brockton Neighborhood Health Center

Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) providing primary care, dental, behavioral health, women's health, pediatrics, and pharmacy services for Brockton-area families. Accepts MassHealth, commercial insurance, Medicare, and offers a sliding fee scale for uninsured patients based on household income. Call to schedule a first appointment; bring photo ID, insurance cards, proof of income for sliding scale, and a list of current medications. Some evening and weekend hours available.

508-559-6699 · 63 Main St, Brockton, MA 02301 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

9. Greater New Bedford Community Health Center

Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) serving New Bedford and the South Coast with primary care, dental, behavioral health, women's health, and specialty services regardless of insurance status. Accepts MassHealth, commercial insurance, Medicare, and offers a sliding fee scale for uninsured. Call to schedule a first appointment; bring photo ID, insurance cards, proof of income for sliding scale, and a list of current medications. Bilingual staff available.

508-992-6553 · 874 Purchase St, New Bedford, MA 02740 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm; some evening hours · Visit Website

10. Lowell Community Health Center

Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) serving the Lowell area with comprehensive primary care, dental, behavioral health, women's health, pediatrics, and on-site pharmacy services. Accepts MassHealth, commercial insurance, Medicare, and offers a sliding fee scale for uninsured. Bilingual and multilingual services available. Call to schedule a first appointment; bring photo ID, insurance cards, proof of income for sliding scale, and a list of current medications. Some Saturday hours.

978-937-9700 · 161 Jackson St, Lowell, MA 01852 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm; some Saturday hours · Visit Website

11. Cambridge Health Alliance

Public safety-net health system serving Cambridge, Somerville, Malden, Everett, and surrounding communities with primary care, specialty care, hospital care, emergency services, and behavioral health. Accepts MassHealth, commercial insurance, Medicare, and Health Safety Net for eligible uninsured. Call the main line or a specific clinic to schedule a first appointment; bring photo ID, insurance cards, and a list of current medications. Multilingual services available.

617-665-1000 · 1493 Cambridge St, Cambridge, MA 02139 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm; urgent care extended · Visit Website

12. South End Community Health Center (Boston)

Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) in Boston's South End providing primary care, dental, vision, women's health, pediatrics, and behavioral health services with sliding scale fees for uninsured patients. Accepts MassHealth, commercial insurance, and Medicare. Bilingual services available. Call to schedule a first appointment; bring photo ID, insurance cards, proof of income for sliding scale, and a list of current medications. Some evening hours available.

617-425-2000 · 1601 Washington St, Boston, MA 02118 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

13. Family Health Center of Worcester

Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) providing comprehensive healthcare including primary care, dental, OB/GYN, pediatrics, and behavioral health for Worcester-area families. Accepts MassHealth, commercial insurance, Medicare, and offers a sliding fee scale for uninsured. Bilingual and multilingual services available. Call to schedule a first appointment; bring photo ID, insurance cards, proof of income for sliding scale, and a list of current medications.

508-860-7700 · 26 Queen St, Worcester, MA 01610 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm; some evening hours · Visit Website

14. NeedyMeds - Massachusetts Assistance — Free

National database of patient assistance programs, free and low-cost clinics, diagnosis-based assistance funds, and discount drug programs searchable by state for Massachusetts residents. Includes a free drug discount card usable at most MA pharmacies. Use the website to search for assistance by medication name, diagnosis, or ZIP code. Free to use; no registration required for most tools. Always confirm program eligibility and expiration directly with the listed program.

Online resource · Online 24/7 · Visit Website

15. Prescription Advantage (Massachusetts) — Free

State prescription drug assistance program for Massachusetts residents age 65+ and certain disabled adults under 65 who need help affording prescription medications. Works alongside Medicare Part D to lower copays and coverage-gap costs, and can help uninsured seniors access medications. Apply by phone or online; bring proof of age, MA residency, income, and any existing Medicare or insurance info. Financial eligibility thresholds apply but are broader than some federal programs.

1-800-243-4636 · Statewide enrollment · Mon-Fri 8:45am-5pm · Visit Website

16. HRSA Health Center Finder - Massachusetts — Free

Federal Health Resources and Services Administration tool to find nearby FQHC community health centers in Massachusetts that provide primary care, dental, and behavioral health on a sliding fee scale regardless of ability to pay. Search by ZIP code, city, or street address; results show contact info, services, and accepted insurance. Free to use; no registration required. Call the listed health center directly to schedule a first appointment and confirm sliding-scale eligibility.

Search by MA zip code · Online 24/7 · Visit Website

Frequently Asked

How many healthcare resources are in Massachusetts?
Men's Corner tracks 16 healthcare resources for men and fathers in Massachusetts.
Are healthcare resources in Massachusetts free?
6 of the 16 listed healthcare resources in Massachusetts are explicitly free or low-cost.
Which cities in Massachusetts have healthcare resources?
Listings span cities including Boston, Worcester, Springfield, Brockton, New Bedford, Lowell.
What are some examples of healthcare resources in Massachusetts?
Featured entries include MassHealth (Massachusetts Medicaid), Massachusetts Health Connector (ACA Marketplace), Boston Medical Center - Community Health Centers, Edward M. Kennedy Community Health Center (Worcester), Baystate Health (Springfield).
Do these listings include phone numbers?
14 of 16 Massachusetts healthcare listings include phone numbers.
I don't have insurance — where do I go for primary care?
A Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) — every state has them, they charge on sliding-scale based on income, and they cover primary care, dental, mental health, and often pharmacy. Find one at findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov.
Do I qualify for Medicaid as a single dad?
In Medicaid expansion states, any adult with income up to 138% of the Federal Poverty Level qualifies regardless of dependents. In non-expansion states, a custodial parent of a minor may qualify under lower thresholds. Apply at your state's Medicaid agency or through healthcare.gov.
What about an emergency with no insurance?
EMTALA requires every US hospital with an ER to stabilize any emergency regardless of ability to pay. Nonprofit hospitals must offer financial assistance (often free care up to 200% FPL). Never skip a real emergency over cost — ask about charity care when you arrive.
Is there help with prescriptions?
Patient assistance programs from drug manufacturers provide free or low-cost meds for uninsured patients. NeedyMeds and RxAssist list them. GoodRx and SingleCare provide discount pricing for uninsured buyers. FQHCs often include 340B pharmacy discounts on-site.